Tokyo to Kanazawa by Shinkansen (2026): Price, Time and How to Book
Going from Tokyo to Kanazawa? Take the Kagayaki on the Hokuriku Shinkansen: 2 hours 24 minutes on the fastest trains, and ¥14,600 for a reserved seat since JR East raised its fares on 14 March 2026.
Two things catch people out. The Kagayaki has no non-reserved seats, and you can't book it on smartEX. We checked the fares and rules on JR's official pages on 6 November 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. JR's own sites are the same price or cheaper, and we say so where they are.
Kagayaki or Hakutaka: which train should I take?
Kagayaki
Fewer stops than the Hakutaka: 2h24 on the fastest trains (Kagayaki 507 takes 2h32). All seats reserved: you need a seat booking before you board.
Hakutaka
Stops at more stations, 2h53 to 3h13. Has non-reserved cars, so it's the backup when the Kagayaki is full.
Where do I book Tokyo to Kanazawa online?
The Hokuriku Shinkansen is run by JR East (Tokyo side) and JR West (Kanazawa side). Both companies sell it online in English.
JR-WEST Online Train Reservation
Sells e-tickets between Kanazawa and Tokyo. The e-ticket price is ¥14,400.
Klook
Useful if JR's sites reject your card. Prices are set by Klook; compare them with JR West's ¥14,400 e-ticket.
Affiliate link- Sign up on JR East's or JR West's English site. Free. You need an email address and a credit card.
- Search Tokyo → Kanazawa. Pick a Kagayaki for the fastest trip.
- Choose a seat and pay. Pick a seat on the seat map. Every Kagayaki seat is reserved, so you always get one.Keep your ticket and maps on your phone with a Japan eSIM.Japan eSIM on Klook ↗
JR West's English reservation conditions: JR-WEST Online Train Reservation sells e-tickets for the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tokyo, and seats open one month before at 10:00.
JR West's e-ticket page: Tokyo–Kanazawa ¥14,400 from 14 March 2026.
JR's English timetable for Kagayaki 507: Tokyo 09:20, Kanazawa 11:52, all cars reserved.
Why did the price go up in 2026?
JR East raised its fares on 14 March 2026. The Tokyo end of this line is JR East, so the fare part went up. The limited express fee (¥6,900) didn't change.
Is the JR Pass or the Hokuriku Arch Pass worth it?
The JR Pass covers the Kagayaki with no extra fee (only the Nozomi and Mizuho need one). But a Tokyo–Kanazawa return is ¥29,200, so the pass needs more long trips in the same week.
Hokuriku Arch Pass
7 days. Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo–Tsuruga, Thunderbird, HARUKA and the Tokyo Monorail. No Tokaido Shinkansen. It pays off only if you go both ways along the arch, or add many side trips.
What if…?
…the Kagayaki is full?
Try a Hakutaka, which takes longer but has non-reserved cars. Or try another time or day.
…I miss my reserved Kagayaki?
With a regular ticket you can take a non-reserved seat on a later train the same day (a Hakutaka), or a standing place on a later Kagayaki. Discount e-tickets have their own conditions, so check them when you book.
…I want to go on to Kyoto or Osaka?
Change at Tsuruga to the Thunderbird. Kanazawa–Kyoto is ¥7,720.
In Kanazawa: what to book next
Kenrokuen
Kanazawa's famous garden, 12 minutes by bus from the station plus a 5-minute walk.
Shirakawa-go
Go by bus from Kanazawa. Light-up evenings need an advance reservation.
Planning more of Kanazawa?
Kanazawa is on the Hokuriku route from Tokyo to Kyoto, so it fits as a stop on the way west. Our area guide covers where to stay and what to book.
The Klook link is an affiliate link. JR West's e-ticket is ¥14,400.